Self-aware programs? Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread.

According to a status update on the facebook page of a friend of mine (which means it must be true), this quote:

‎”At this point we get into such difficult questions as whether a computer program can have purpose, or consciousness, or free will, or even a soul. I do not propose to address those issues now, because I am still chewing on the same questions concerning myself.”

Of course such “difficult” questions are precisely the (ostensible) subject of the famous & brilliant novella Cheap Complex Devices, which you can read portions of right here on this very website, or better still, buy a copy! Any of y’all needing a nudge can start with this review, which gets to the heart of the matter quite nicely.

John’s Tweets

As a Peace Corps Volunteer living the village of Fanaye Dieri in drought-hit Senegal 1974-76, I used to hitch hike to Podor every few weeks to pick up my mail. There I stayed overnight w another PCV, among whose books I first discovered Cavafy & Checkov. https://t.co/YHY0ZLZ9p7

What cowardly shit is this? Is that mask intended to intimidate? I would certainly seem so. Who is too chickenshit to be seen holding an American flag? Christ, I'm known many third graders with more guts than that. What a fucking ugly photo. Not sure how it ended up in my feed.

Pelosi is not perfect. But she is strong & smart & fearless; & (UNLIKE SCHUMER) she will not be mindfucked by Republicans. She is a master of congressional chess & she is successful. I do wish she would ditch @WhipHoyer, who I can't stand. But please count me 100% Team Pelosi.